Etymed
bradycardia
Definition
A cardiac condition characterized by an abnormally slow heart rate, typically fewer than 60 beats per minute in adults
Clinical context
A 78-year-old man presents to the emergency department with complaints of dizziness and fatigue over the past few days. His vital signs reveal a heart rate of 48 beats per minute with blood pressure of 92/60 mmHg. He denies chest pain or shortness of breath but appears pale and diaphoretic. ECG shows sinus bradycardia with no evidence of acute ischemia.
Mnemonic
Bradycardia = 'Brady' (slow) + 'cardia' (heart) = Slow heart rate, think 'BRAKE' pedal for slow heart rate